Houston Dynamo sign Hunter Freeman & Americans Abroad

The Houston Dynamo announced the signing of IK Start and former Toronto F.C. and Red Bull New York right back Hunter Freeman tonight. Freeman has played the past two seasons with Norway’s IK Start and started 24 matches this year alongside fellow American Clarence Goodson (now with Brondby). Freeman scored one goal this year and provided six assists. The addition adds another talented player to the backline, an area of concern going into the offseason.

Freeman is a top quality right back and will return to MLS as upper tier player at the position. If he is fit and plays to his potential it will be hard to keep him off the field. Freeman provides solid defending but is dangerous going forward from his fullback spot. In Dominic Kinnear’s system that is a very good skill to have and he should provide support to wing players Colin Clark and Danny Cruz.

The signing does question what will happen with Andrew Hainault and Mike Chabala. Hainault can play on the left or right while Chabala is strictly a left back. This plus the addition of Jordan Graye could open up Hainault for a move to center back. One thing is for sure, if talent is the deciding factor Freeman will need to be on the field for the Dynamo. This was a quality move for a club that seems to be focusing on defense first this offseason.

Americans Abroad Preview

Stuart Holden will get the big stage for the EPL this weekend as the Saturday morning match on ESPN2. Holden made a wonderful return from the injured list to score fantastic winner and now gets a tough Sunderland squad. Charlie Davies is now fit, according to him, and is pushing for playing time. Will he get it?

Outside of American players there are several quality matches to watch this weekend. AS Roma will face AC Milan, Ajax faces Feyenoord and the main event is Sunday when Chelsea tries to right the ship versus Manchester United. A full preview of the action is below the jump.

EPL

– Stuart Holden and Bolton Wanderers face Sunderland

Holden carved a place in Bolton history with his outstanding goal last week against Blackburn. Now his club looks to keep their momentum going against Sunderland. Set the DVR or put on a pot of coffee and get out of bed early Saturday morning to catch Holden on ESPN2.

– Tim Howard and Everton face Manchester City

Howard and Everton are only two points clear of the drop zone heading to dangerous Manchester City on Monday. Some (including me) thought this was going to be the year that Everton turned the corner and broke into the top four but at midseason they are simply trying to stay in the league.

– Clint Dempsey, Eddie Johnson, and Fulham face Liverpool

Two teams going in different directions. Roy Hodges faces his old club in Fulham but now has Liverpool climbing the table. Should be good theater but Fulham’s form suggests they are a serious underdogs this weekend.

– Jonathan Spector and West Ham face Blackburn Rovers

Amid rumors of a new contract, Spector looks to have claimed a starting spot in the midfield (two weeks ago he was tagged to be moving in January). Can West Ham continue what Holden started against Blackburn?

Lichaj made a great statement last week with a very nice 90 minutes. He should be in the lineup again this weekend against struggling Wigan Athletic.

Marquee Match: Chelsea v. Manchester United, Sunday

Bundesliga

– Michael Bradley and Borussia Mochengladbach face Hamburg

– Daniel Williams and SC Freiburg face Bayer Leverkusen

– Steve Cherundolo, DeMarcus Beasley, and Hannover face Nurnberg

– Jermaine Jones and Schalke ’04 face FC Cologne

There is still no word on when Jones will be promoted to the first team. It is coming time for Jones to seek employment elsewhere. He is a waste on the reserve squad.

– Ricardo Clark and Eintracht Frankfurt face Borussia Dortmund

Marquee Match: Freiburg v. Bayer Leverkusen, Sunday

Ligue 1

– Carlos Bocanegra and St. Etienne face Arles

– Charlie Davies and Sochaux face Bordeaux

Davies proclaimed in an AP interview that he is back to “90 percent” health and wants to see some minutes for the club. The problem is that the two strikers ahead of him, Brown Ideye and Modibo Maiga have taken advantage of his absence and are going to be tough to get out of the lineup. If he gets a few minutes can a loan spell (which his manager has suggested) be coming?

Marquee Match: Marseille v. Lyon, Sunday

Serie A

– Oguchi Onyewu and AC Milan face AS Roma

Marquee Match: AC Milan v. AS Roma, Friday

La Liga

– Jozy Altidore and Villarreal face Mallorca

Marquee Match: Espanyol v. Barcelona, Saturday

Other Matches of Note for Americans

– Maurice Edu and SPL leading Rangers face Dundee United

Edu is still out with injury.

– Conor Doyle and resurgent Derby County face Reading

Doyle is currently with a U-20 training camp and will not be with Derby this weekend.

– Mike Grella, Frank Simek, and Carlisle United face Yeovil Town

While Grella has gotten off to a nice start with Carlisle the play of Frank Simek is going under the radar. Simek has played a very nice rightback for Carlisle this year and should be getting more press for it.